Yankees Claim Michael Siani Off Waivers, DFA Kaleb Ort

The New York Yankees bolstered their organizational outfield depth by claiming 26-year-old Michael Siani off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on January 23, 2026, and opened a 40-man roster spot by designating right-hander Kaleb Ort for assignment. The move gives the Yankees a multi-outfield defender with remaining minor-league options, a combination that fits teams balancing immediate depth with roster flexibility heading into spring training.

Siani spent the bulk of 2025 at Triple-A Memphis, the Cardinals affiliate, appearing in 101 games and hitting .209 (77-for-368) with 8 home runs, 41 RBI, 50 walks and 28 stolen bases. He also logged 19 major-league games with St. Louis last season. Those numbers underline Siani’s profile: limited hitting production at the Triple-A level but clear value in on-base skills, speed and defensive versatility across the outfield corners and center field. Because Siani has options remaining, the Yankees can likely begin the season with him at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and summon him when matchups or injuries require additional outfield defense and baserunning.

Designating Kaleb Ort for assignment removes a right-handed bullpen option from the 40-man. Ort’s DFA creates an opening for the club to explore trade possibilities, outright assignment or a waiver claim by another team. For the Yankees, the swap signals a prioritization of outfield depth and controllable minor-league options over maintaining a particular reliever on the 40-man as the roster tightens before spring.

From a baseball operations perspective, the claim is a low-cost, low-risk transaction that aligns with modern roster management trends. Teams increasingly value players who can be moved between Triple-A and the majors without burning roster protection, allowing front offices to carry higher-impact arms and hitters on the active roster while keeping a pool of versatile, affordable depth nearby. Siani’s speed and defense fit that mold: he is a candidate for late-inning defensive replacements, pinch-running duties and multi-outfield alignment late in games.

The move also has Triple-A implications. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre stands to gain a player who can influence game outcomes with stolen bases and outfield defense, potentially boosting late-inning strategies and matchup decisions for the RailRiders. For Yankees fans, Siani represents a low-ceiling, high-utility option who could become a useful piece if opportunity and improvements at the plate follow.

What comes next is straightforward: Siani could be optioned to Triple-A to begin the year, giving the Yankees flexible depth, while Ort’s fate will be determined by the DFA window. The transaction reflects the Yankees’ ongoing effort to fine-tune roster construction with an eye toward controllable, defensive-minded pieces that complement a big-league roster built for both regular-season durability and postseason contingencies.